Charities working with deaf communities to benefit from grants

The funding will be used to communicate the benefits of smart meters

Smart Energy GB, the voice of the smart meter rollout, is offering grants to local organisations to champion the benefits of smart meters to people who are severely or profoundly deaf.

The grants, from the Smart Energy GB in Communities Fund, will enable local organisations to deliver projects that engage people from Deaf communities with the smart meter rollout, to communicate the benefits of smart meters and address any concerns they may have.

Charities and community organisations have until 11^th June 2018 to bid for between £500 to £7,500 to deliver activities. Last year, 66 small grants were awarded to local organisations from the Smart Energy GB in Communities Fund, helping to reach thousands of people across the country.

Smart meters replace the traditional analogue meters we currently have in our homes. they enable accurate bills, near real time information on energy use and greater control over the way we buy and use energy.

Smart Energy GB is working with three charities - National Energy Action, Energy Action Scotland and the Charities Aid Foundation to manage this programme.

Sacha Deshmukh, Chief Executive of Smart Energy GB, said:

"The smart meter rollout is a vital investment for Great Britain. It will reduce energy bills, help keep the lights on and deliver billions of pounds of savings to our economy. The Government's goal is that every household has a smart meter installed by the end of 2020.

"Members of the Deaf community will benefit from targeted funding for activities and projects delivered by our partners to directly engage them, so they can better understand the benefits of the smart meter rollout for them and the country.

"We hope through this funding, we can engage these harder to reach communities in the transformation of Great Britain's energy sector."

Monica Brown, Head of Charity Advisory and programmes at Charities Aid Foundation, said:

"We have worked with Smart Energy GB over the last two years to deliver this campaign raising awareness of the general public about the benefits of smart meters. We are pleased to continue working with them on such an important matter.

"CAF has significant grant making experience and through this fund can distribute grants to charities across the country who in turn work with their local community groups providing them with the knowledge about smart meters. Using this knowledge people can make informed decisions about how they want to manage their energy usage in the future. We are delighted to be a part of this empowering initiative."

Organisations should apply via the Charities Aid Foundation website.

-ENDS-

Notes to editors

About Smart Energy GB

Smart Energy GB is the national campaign for Great Britain's smart meter rollout. It's our task to help everyone in Great Britain understand smart meters, the national rollout and how to use their new meters to get their gas and electricity under control. Our national campaign has already begun and will reach all households and microbusinesses in England, Scotland and Wales.

About smart meters and the rollout

Smart meters will replace the traditional meters we currently have in our homes. They will provide consumers with accurate bills, near real time information on energy usage in pounds and pence, and greater control over their gas and electricity. The smart meter rollout is an essential technology upgrade, unprecedented in its scale, to improve Great Britain's energy infrastructure. Between now and the end of 2020, everyone across England, Scotland and Wales will be offered a smart meter by their energy supplier at no extra cost. Over 10 million smart meters have already been installed. To find out how you can get a smart meter from your energy supplier please visit www.smartenergyGB.org/get-a-smart-meter.

About National Energy Action

National Energy Action is the national charity working to end fuel poverty. National Energy Action works across England, Wales and Northern Ireland to ensure that everyone can afford to live in a warm, dry home. In partnership with central and local government, fuel utilities, housing providers, consumer groups and voluntary organisations, National Energy Action undertakes a range of activities to address the causes and treat the symptoms of fuel poverty. Visit National Energy Action for more details.

About Energy Action Scotland

Energy Action Scotland is the Scottish charity with the remit of ending fuel poverty. Energy Action Scotland has been working with this remit since its inception in 1983. It has campaigned on the issue of fuel poverty and delivered many practical projects and conducted research to tackle the problems of cold, damp homes, particularly where householders are low income or vulnerable, energy Action Scotland works with both the Scottish and UK Governments on energy efficiency programme design and implementation and to inform policy development. It also delivers training and consultancy on domestic energy-related matters. Visit Energy Action Scotland for more details.

About Charities Aid Foundation

Charities Aid Foundation is one of the largest charitable foundations in Europe. It helps people and companies support the causes they care about and provides financial services for the charity sector. It provides a range of services for individual and company donors, including charity accounts, charitable trusts, grant-making and legacy services, company accounts and payroll giving. It also provides fundraising support for charities, social investment and financial services for the not-for-profit sector, including investments and a range of banking and loans through Charities Aid Foundation Bank, an established, low-cost bank for charities.

Smart Energy GB media contacts

Sophie Docker: [email protected]; 0203 019 1077 / 07522 230 907